State park
Henderson Beach State Park
Destin's state park beach, reached by boardwalk over the dunes, with a nature trail when the kids have had enough sand.
Destin Read the guide
Things to do
Things to do on 30A with kids.
Parks, boats, trails and beaches from Destin to Inlet Beach, with what it costs, how long to plan, and the thing nobody tells you until you're in the parking lot.
Parent's guides
The full rundown.
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- Attraction
Big Kahuna's Water & Adventure Park
Slides, wave pools, a lazy river and kids' splash zones, with mini golf on the adventure side.
Destin Read the guide - State park
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
Three miles of beach and more than 10 miles of trails, with a tram from the parking area so nobody has to carry the cooler the whole way.
Santa Rosa Beach Read the guide - State park
Eden Gardens State Park
Gardens around the historic Wesley House. A calm, shady change from the beach, and a good place for a picnic.
Point Washington, Santa Rosa Beach Read the guide - State park
Grayton Beach State Park
The beach, plus Western Lake: a 100-acre coastal dune lake calm enough for first-time paddlers.
Grayton Beach, on Western Lake Read the guide - State park
Deer Lake State Park
A small state park with beach and trails, and the cheapest state-park entry on this stretch.
Seagrove Beach Read the guide - State park
Camp Helen State Park
180 acres with the Gulf on three sides and Lake Powell, one of the largest coastal dune lakes in Florida, on the fourth.
Just east of Inlet Beach Read the guide - Trail
Timpoochee Trail
A paved path of about 19 miles running beside 30A from Dune Allen to Inlet Beach. It's flat and mostly 8 feet wide, the easiest way to get a stroller or a balance bike from one town to the next.
Along 30A, Dune Allen to Inlet Beach Read the guide - Attraction
Crab Island
A sandbar in the bay where boats anchor and everyone wades in the shallows. You can only get there by boat.
Choctawhatchee Bay, by the Destin bridge Read the guide - Attraction
Southern Star Dolphin Cruise
A double-deck, glass-bottom boat that takes up to 149 people out looking for dolphins, with live commentary.
Destin Read the guide
Public beaches
Beach accesses, town by town.
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James Lee Park
DestinOkaloosa County's beach park, with a playground set well back from the surf and restrooms with changing rooms and showers.
- Playground
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Free parking
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Miramar Beach Regional Beach Access
Miramar BeachThe biggest lot at this end of the beach, with restrooms, an accessible boardwalk and a lifeguard March through October.
- About 200 parking spaces
- Restrooms
- Lifeguards Mar–Oct
- ADA boardwalk
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Scenic Gulf Drive Regional Beach Access
Miramar BeachA newer access, opened in 2022, with 400 feet of beach and a small lot.
- 15–20 parking spaces
- 400 feet of beach
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Fort Panic Regional Beach Access
Dune AllenRestrooms, accessible paths and a lifeguard in season, at the west end of 30A.
- 27 parking spaces
- Restrooms
- Lifeguards Mar–Oct
- ADA access
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Ed Walline Regional Beach Access
Santa Rosa BeachThe Gulf Place access: restrooms, two picnic shelters, a lifeguard in season, and mats toward the water for wheelchairs and wagons.
- 39 parking spaces
- Restrooms
- Lifeguards Mar–Oct
- Two picnic shelters
- Wheelchair mats
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Gulfview Heights Regional Beach Access
Santa Rosa BeachA smaller regional access with restrooms, rinse showers and picnic tables under a shelter.
- 22 parking spaces
- Restrooms
- Rinse showers
- Lifeguards Mar–Oct
- Shaded picnic tables
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Blue Mountain Regional Beach Access
Blue Mountain BeachRestrooms and a lifeguard in season, with a small lot.
- 20 parking spaces
- Restrooms
- Lifeguards Mar–Oct
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Bets "Beachmama" Haynes Regional Beach Access
Grayton BeachGrayton's public access, with restrooms, rinse showers and a 360-degree observation deck over the beach.
- Restrooms
- Rinse showers
- Observation deck
- Beach tram stop
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Seaside Amphitheater & lawn
SeasideSeaside's lawn and stage. The farmers market runs Saturdays 9am to 1pm, and in season there are free kids' shows, sing-alongs and family movies under the stars.
- Saturday farmers market
- Free kids' shows in season
- Family movies
- Playground nearby
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Santa Clara Regional Beach Access
Seagrove BeachSeagrove's regional access: restrooms, accessible paths and a lifeguard in season.
- 30 parking spaces
- Restrooms
- Lifeguards Mar–Oct
- ADA access
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Alys Beach Amphitheatre
Alys BeachThe green in the middle of town, where Alys holds concerts, outdoor movies and kids' events.
- Concerts
- Outdoor movies
- Kids' events
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Inlet Beach Regional Beach Access
Inlet BeachThe biggest public parking at the east end of 30A, spread over three lots on W Park Place Ave, with restrooms and a lifeguard in season.
- Three lots, about 110 spaces
- Restrooms
- Lifeguards Mar–Oct